Ladybug's song dominated the hit charts again, making Jagged Stone as one of the most in-demand Artists of the Year. Of course, thanks again to Marinette Dupain-Cheng's charms.

However, there were murmurs - or say, purrs - all over the social media: If Ladybug has her own song, then why not Chat Noir?

Though the former has several fans, the resident cat superhero got loyal followers (including Marinette, secretly) believing that the kitty needs some love. He might be a symbol of bad luck, but he has been considered as Ladybug's equal. And as what the said Lady stated: Ladybug and Chat Noir are partners.

So how come Adrien Agreste entered the picture?

"The music video 'It's Ladybug' has taken the media by storm, something we didn't expect to happen." Jagged Stone's producer explained. Beside him was the director behind the sensational MV. "That's why we are making a companion song entitled 'That's Chat Noir', because hey - who's Ladybug without Chat Noir?"

"And we would like you, Adrien, to be the Chat."

"Wow. That's...It's an honor." the model answered, trying to hide his excitement.

Of course, he wanted to accept the offer but since it was a formal meeting, he should act professional and let Natalie handle the job.

But for some unknown reasons, Natalie wasn't there and the one who took the job was his father, Gabriel Agreste.

"Why you, of all people, decided to scout my son?"

Good question.

Adrien thought of that too, even went 'out of the box' that these people discovered some leads pointing him as a Miraculous holder, only to find it a-mew-sing.

With his calm and collected demeanor, plus a daily jet-packed schedule, there'd be no way one would think he was the person behind that pun-loving flirty hero who saves Paris during his spare time. Besides, he was purr-ty careful about his identity.

The cat wasn't out of the bag yet.

"As we all know, Chat Noir is a famous icon, however, we don't think his fans can topple Ladybug's popularity." the producer explained. "But with Adrien's celebrity status, there's a chance that the companion song will match with Marinette's."

The model wasn't offended by the man's truthful words. Chat Noir didn't crave for fame, same with Ladybug - these Parisian heroes didn't wear their Miraculous for selfish gains.

"So this is a battle about revenues, per se, but with a win-win situation - for you."

"You're a business person, Monsieur Agreste. You know the ways of money."

"By merging my son and Chat Noir's supporters? Why not?" the fashion magnate said dryly.

Adrien sensed some bitterness on his father's tone when he mentioned his alter ego's name, which dampened his happiness when he addressed him as his 'son'.

"That dark-clad superhero has a good reputation, and this MV will only boost your son's popularity, so I don't see any problems with it. Also, this is a win-win for you, Monsieur"

Gabriel glanced at the contract briefly then looked away. "I have to decline this."

"Father!"

All eyes bored at the flustered blond boy who suddenly stood up with gleaming eyes filled with fury and surprise. Before Gabriel could open his mouth, he immediately cut him.

"I want to take this job."

"Pardon?"

Adrien clenched his fist as he maintained his composure. "I want to take this job, Father. By all means. I want to take the role of Chat Noir."

"Are you sure?"

He mentally prepared himself for some rebuttals about priorities like modeling, piano lessons, Chinese and school, but didn't expect that his father would throw such question that would warrant his son's opinion.

Without batting an eye, he looked directly at his father's cold blue stares as he tightened his jaw. "Yes, Father."

There was a minute of silence before Gabriel broke the contact to glance at the contract again.

"Very well." he sighed then pushed the papers towards the negotiators. "We will consider your offer if you will change the stipulation here."

"If it's the talent fee you mean, then we can haggle -"

"Not that. What I mean is this." Gabriel brushed off the producer as he tapped a certain paragraph with his finger. "The costumes. I want this to be changed and let my House handle it."

A rumbling sound from the fourth person's throat broke the tension, making the other three aware of the director's presence.

"Of course, Adrien is an icon of Agrestes'. It's understandable that he can't wear anything but only Agreste's clothing lines." the director laughed. "And if the MV became popular, so will be your business' image. Such publicity for a non-sponsored advertisement."

That was how Gabriel raised his fashion house from zero to global dominance - through shrewdness.

"We're open for revisions." the director added while folding his hands. "But with a certain condition."

"And what would that be?"

The man gave a knowing look at his companion then smirked at the fashion magnate's coolly eyes.

"You have to be Hawkmoth."

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Adrien felt like the talk lasted for days, even though it only happened for an hour.

He immediately closed his room then slumped his back against his door. Plagg flew out from his pocket and looked at his charger's perturbed state.

"I will be Chat Noir."

"As we both know you're already are."

"And my father will be Hawkmoth."

"What can I say to you, kid?" the kwami shrugged, fetching his stashed cheese from the drawer. "Your luck is so bad your father has a dark side?"

"So is Vader to Luke." the blond deadpanned. "Funny, Plagg. I didn't know you have a dark humor."

"That's because I'm a black cat."

"Touché"

"Anyways." the kwami chuckled as he chewed his meal. "Aren't you supposed to be happy he allowed you to sign the contract?"

"I'm happy" he said as he moved towards his desk to fetch his things for school. "But it's dubious that he went along with it."

"Maybe he wants to regain his image as your father?"

Adrien didn't reply. He gave his father a benefit of the doubt, only to realize that this would be the first time that they spent some activities together outside the fashion arena.

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'My father is Hawkmoth, my father is Hawkmoth, my father is Hawkmoth, and I'm Chat Noir! ' Adrien chanted mentally as he went outside the car.

Thinking that his father would take the role of his nemesis was quite disturbing, but at the same time, exciting in a very confusing way. He couldn't wait to tell his friends about the MV, especially Marinette.

He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he collided with the said person and blurted it out.

"I am Hawkmoth!"

Marinette shrieked "What?!"

"What?!" he parroted.

She was surprised that she bumped with her crush and failed to collect her brains when he called an unexpected name out of the blue, thus the reality that he locked both her arms to avoid their fall while hers was on his chest hit them a minute later.

Both sprang a meter away out of embarrassment.

"I - I'm sorry, I didn't mean to Hawkmoth - I mean, er, hit you!"

"No, I should be Hawkmoth - I mean, sorry Hawkmoth - er, I mean, sorry I hit Hawkmoth! No, hit you, I mean!"

Alya and Nino arrived afterward, admiring the comical stances of their flustered best friends as they apologized to each other, and the only coherent words that they got was about Hawkmoth being hit and they felt sorry about it.

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The day ended without Adrien telling his friends about the MV.

He wanted to tell Marinette first, being an indirect factor behind Chat Noir's companion song, but unable to do so because of her stuttering mess. He didn't tell Nino about it either because of the former reason. So he decided not to tell anyone about it at all.

Besides, it will be interesting to see their reactions once they know the actor behind Chat Noir's MV.

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"Do you think they'll be able to discover my identity? That I'm Chat Noir?" Adrien asked his kwami that night.

"I don't think so. You're not going to wear spandex anyways." Plagg answered as he stuffed more cheese into his mouth.

"But how about the mask? They'll be able to connect it somehow, especially Ladybug."

The kwami opened his mouth then closed it again. After giving it a long thought, he answered. "She's not going to see any connections."

"Because she didn't know me well?" the blond piqued, and the thought saddens him.

"Not that she didn't know you well. She's just oblivious."

"My Lady is oblivious? Pssh, she can figure out random Lucky Charms and now you're telling me she can't figure meow-t?"

Plagg's mouth was quivering, as if he was having internal battles, but decided to look away.

"Are you hiding something from me?"

Instead of giving a reply, Plagg swallowed a cube of cheese.

"I think I'll be able to figure out Ladybug's real identity." Adrien pondered with a dreamy sigh. "Even if she's on a faked costume."

And the poor kwami choked.

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Adrien received a notification text from Natalie. Today was the start of his MV shoot.

"Got to go now," he told Nino. "I have a shoot today."

"Aw man, can't you just ditch it? I don't think your father will be mad at you."

"I'm not doing this for him." he beamed as he waved goodbye. "I'm doing this for myself."

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When Adrien asked why the concept was Egyptian, the director told him that originality aside, he got inspired by the Ladyblog's article about Ladybug existence 5,000 years ago, as well as Chat Noir's according to the museum scrolls.

The costume was well-fitted, especially the black mask that was molded perfectly on his face. Ruffling his hair, his reflection was very akin to that rowdy black-clad superhero, but Plagg assured him that no one will figure him out.

Even Ladybug or Hawkmoth.

He spotted his father on the other side donning a much-elaborated costume. If Egyptian Ladybug has been pegged as a dancer and Egyptian Chat Noir as a warrior, Hawkmoth was somewhat a classy pharaoh.

He was unsure if his father has a high regard for the butterfly villain, or that he pictured out the man as a glamorous kind.

Adrien asked him about it and received an unexpected answer.

"Have you ever thought..." Gabriel trailed off. "That Hawkmoth became a villain for a reason?"

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Just like what 'Ladybug' performed, 'Chat Noir' will going to have a one-man act.

"You're a professional model, so I don't think I have to teach you how to be into character." the director told him. "Even a newbie like Miss Dupain-Cheng was able to pull it out."

"Marinette is actually one of my closest friends." Adrien smiled.

"She's a natural, that lady. She almost convinced me that she's Ladybug."

"I know. That's why she's amazing."

A large hand fell on his shoulder. "And as an expert on this field, you, Adrien Agreste, must show a similar performance - or much better performance, than what the amateur Marinette Dupain-Cheng did."

Piece of cake

"Be like Chat Noir, okay?"

Adrien flashed him a cocky grin "Paw-sitive."

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Unlike 'It's Ladybug', Chat Noir's MV will be announced next week and its debut will be on the following week. The reason for its delay was part of the business tactics - that once Ladybug's MV hype died down, his MV will follow.

Adrien was confident of his performance and trusted the production staffs' praises that it was a job well done, but he still couldn't help but worry.

Clasping a clear CD case, he called his kwami for a night patrol.

"Plagg!" he announced. "Transforme moi!"

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Chat Noir was disheartened a bit that Ladybug arrived at their meeting place first. Thus, his element of surprise was thrown into the gutter.

"What a purr-ty evening we have now, My Lady."

"Minou." she greeted, observing how her partner's tail was lashing out in the air. "You looked...excited."

Her partner twirled around then stopped in front of her. "I just cat contain my felines tonight, and seeing you makes me claw-msilly falling with you again."

She was supposed to scold his punny flirts but his shit-eating grin and his giddiness made her think otherwise. The last time he was doing that was when he got a whiff of catnips.

But he didn't have that herbal smell and he wasn't pouncing everywhere like a drug addict.

"Spill it out, Chat." she bemused. "What is it?"

"You see..." he teased with pert-up ears. "Chat Noir has a secret."

Ladybug placed a hand on her hips with a smirk. "And what is it?"

"Chat Noir...will going to have his own music video."

The news hit his partner like a storm. She froze on the spot, and with her saucer-like eyes, Chat thought she was very disappointed. His ears drooped a bit until he saw her toothy grin.

He was taken aback when she squealed and ran towards him - he was expecting a hug, but her way of grabbing both his hands and flailed them in the air with a skittish jump was equally endearing.

"Mon dieu! Really?! Oh! Oh, I'm so happy! Congratulations! How come I've never heard about it? Did I miss the announcement?"

He chuckled on her excitement. "There's no announcement, My Lady. Jagged Stone was secretly writing a companion song but never thought that he was going to release it. Your MV made everything paw-sibble."

"I'm about to say you deserve the credit." she frowned. "But your puns killed it."

"You wounded me, Bugaboo." he pouted as she laughed. "Though I might say Marinette earned the biggest credit."

Ladybug coughed but he didn't make any comments about it. He had doubts that his Lady gave his classmate some pointers, or probably involved secretly on the production - in a different way unlike him - that she showed a faint disturbance, sometimes a blush, every time he mentioned Marinette's name.

"Here." he handed her a clear CD case.

"What's this, Chaton?" she asked as she accepted it.

"That's actually an exclusive copy of 'That's Chat Noir'."

Her bluebell eyes failed to hide her shock on his declaration, making him scratch his neck to untangle his nerves.

"But...how - are you involved on this?!"

He couldn't tell her that he was there as his own self, so he bluffed. "Well, not really. But the person who took the role as Chat Noir was amazing. Actually, he was kind enough to let me see the MV first before its release."

She gasped with eyes filled with appreciation. "And you're letting me see this?"

"The actor wants to. We both want to."

Ladybug looked at the clear case again then pressed it in her chest with a smile.

"Merci."

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Once Marinette dropped her transformation after the patrol that night, she immediately switched her monitor on and slipped inside the CD that she received from Chat in the reader.

Before she could play the video, she fetched herself a glass of milk and some cookies she shared with Tikki.

"Ready?" she asked her kwami that was nestling near the platter.

"Of course."

Marinette should've prepared herself before she hit the Play button. She should've timed herself not to drink before finishing the video. She should've asked her partner about the actor who played 'Chat Noir'

Because when she saw a sexy, half-naked Adrien Agreste with a black mask and cat ears, she spluttered and fell off her chair.

˹Uh-uh-oh~ Star-crossed love.˼

"PFFFFFFFFFTTTT!"

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"Tikki?"

"Yes, Marinette?"

"I'm so screwed tomorrow."

"Why?"

"I'll not be able to look Adrien the same way again."

The red kwami couldn't help but chuckled at her charger's moans as she buried her face with pillows. After playing the video numerous times, with some banters about the true face of Chat Noir, Marinette decided to force herself to sleep.

The lights were all turned off and the only illuminations inside the room came from the moonlight outside her window.

"Tikki?"

"What is it, Marinette?"

"Adrien was Chat Noir."

"As what we've seen on the video."

"And his father was Hawkmoth."

"Don't make me repeat my words."

This made her charger broke a short laugh. "I'm not sure whether to be happy as Marinette that her estranged classmate got bonded with his father, or feel dejected as Ladybug that her idol took her nemesis' role."

"Go to sleep, Marinette."

She hummed as an answer

Years later, when she discovered Chat Noir's real identity, then later on both learned about Hawkmoth's true self, Marinette would surely laugh at its irony